Ssangyong strike devastating to businesses near vehicle factory

PYEONGTAEK, Gyeonggi - Residents are feeling increasingly hard-pressed due to the lingering occupation at the Ssangyong plant here, and many are worried that the strike will deal a severe blow to the regional economy.

The area near the plant has turned into a ghost town in recent days, according to people working nearby. Only six of the 20 stores near Gaenari Apartments in Segyo-dong were open Monday night, and three out of six restaurants that were opened were empty.

Just two months ago, the area was bustling day and night. The restaurants, bars and other shops had been flourishing, packed with customers, most of whom were Ssangyong workers. The area only takes seven to eight minutes to get to by car from the plant. Over 40 percent of the apartmentกฏs residents are Ssangyong workers.

Ji Yeong-ju, 47, who owns a ssambab (steamed rice with vegetable and meat wrap) restaurant, is one of those feeling the pinch.

กฐThe restaurant was full of eaters with Ssangyong workers on every 25th of the month,กฑ Ji said. กฐBut now it has turned into ruin.กฑ

But itกฏs not just the food industry that has taken a hit. Sales have halved at a hair salon at nearby Iaan Apartment in Dongsak-dong. Over 35 percent of apartment residents are Ssangyong employees.

The hair salon owner surnamed Kim said housewives are skimping on their hair. กฐThey have their hair tied back even if itกฏs time to have their hair permed because their husbands have no income,กฑ the 31-year-old said. กฐI hardly see customers coming into my shop because housewives go to work in the afternoon.กฑ

Hagwon, or private education institutes, are also suffering. Park Gyeong-seon, 40, the owner of an English-language hagwon in Dongsak-dong said she had 10 students whose fathers work at Ssangyong.

กฐEight of them left and now I only have two students,กฑ Park said. กฐAnother day, a father of a student told me his child wonกฏt be taking classes here anymore. Bright students are becoming the victims of labor-management disputes.กฑ

Repaying personal debts is reaching a crisis point for some. A 47-year-old Ssangyong worker surnamed Jang had no other option but take out loans.

กฐOne day, my second-grade child said she really wants to eat out ... She wanted to have some meat,กฑ Jang said through tears. กฐI saw my sixth grade child calm her, saying, กฎSweetie, daddy doesnกฏt have money. Letกฏs eat out when daddy goes back to work.กฏกฑ